Midwinter Warmup 2014 Showcase Light Program

My day at Midwinter Warmup, hosted by the LA FSC, at the East-West Ice Palace in Artesia, CA.

I had practice ice at 7:15, and I was at the rink by 6:45.  Checked in and then really had a lot of time to do nothing... I ate an apple and got my skates on.  My practice ice went fine -- it was fairly full (about 16 skaters) but workable.  I had my full costume on, but didn't bring any props except for my glasses.  I warmed up my jumps and spins, then worked through some program chunks.  Then I worked on putting the glasses on and skating into the spin, since that's the worst part of the program for me.  I'm really glad I was in full costume, because in my practices lately I had adjusted the headband on the glasses to be smaller because it seemed too big.  Well, it was big to fit over the wig!  So I had to bring it out again. Good thing I didn't wait 'til the actual program!  My practice went well and I got off the ice.

I realized during practice ice that the judges were not going to be left of center (as I face them) as they were at Autumn Antics, but on the other side (right of center).  I decided to move the beginning (placement of table & props) to that side since it was important to be in front of the judges.  I was a little concerned about making such a change at the last minute but my gut told me it would be okay and was the right thing to do.  As it turned out, I had no problems with the adjustment at all and everything was fine.

After that I went and checked in, then brought all my props from the car and set them up and made sure everything was set.  Then I killed some time until my event.

As it turned out, I was skating first.  There were only 3 of us (myself, Melissa and Lory) as there was one skater who withdrew.  We went out for warmup and things were fine, I was pretty warmed up from practice ice.  Went off at the one-minute mark and prepped the table to move it on.  Warmup was over, and I pushed the table through the door, then they called my name and I skated the table into position, took my pose and started!

Everything went really well.  I felt pretty good.  The spin was only like one rev but it seemed fairly upright so I guess that was enough.  Timing was spot-on and I had a lot of fun with it.  I finished and then I almost forgot to bow!  Remembered at the last moment, bowed, grabbed my stuff and off I went.

Afterward I watched Melissa and Lory skate.  Melissa's cat program was fun and whimsical, and Lory's program was disco if I recall correctly.  When the results were posted, I was first!  Wow! My first-ever first place in competition!  I was blown away.  Although if ever I had a program I thought would be a winner this would be it.  We took our pictures and then I got out of my costume and put all my stuff away.  I spent the rest of the day watching some great skating!

Tomorrow -- practice ice at 8:15 (how civilized!) and then my Dramatic program at 9:20.